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Travel Top 5: The world’s best airports

Most airports are forgettable places that you want to leave as quickly as possible, but a small few are actually enjoyable, so much so that you wouldn't mind being stuck there for a long layover.Photo: OLAF KRAAK/AFP/Getty Images

They may not have the glamour of the Academy Awards, but if you’re a frequent flier, then you might be more interested to know the winners of this year’s World Airport Awards.

The awards are based on the results of an independent, global survey that collected 12.85 million votes of air travellers from 110 countries and include 410 airports worldwide.

The survey tracks customer satisfaction across 39 topics including such things as check-in, shopping, transfers, departure and so on.

Here are the winners of the 2014 awards:

1. CHANGI AIRPORT, SINGAPORE

Last year’s top airport remains on top of the heap, making it the fifth time that Changi has been named the world’s best airport. What makes it so special? It could be because of the the rooftop pool, the movie theatre, the butterfly garden, the free foot massages or one of the many other features which also ensured that Changi would run away with the award for Best Airport for Leisure Amenities. The Asian hub offers so many distractions that it’s a wonder more travellers don’t miss their connecting flights.

2. INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA

Incheon is in an arm’s race with Changi for providing amazing distractions for travellers. This airport boasts a golf course, spa, private sleeping rooms, skating rink, casino, indoor gardens and a duty-free shopping mall that has been rated the best in the world for several years. Perhaps its biggest boast is its lightning fast arrival and departure times. Departing passengers are processed in 19 minutes, compared to the world-wide average of 60 minutes, and arriving passengers in only 19 minutes, compared to the world-wide average of 45 minutes.

3. MUNICH AIRPORT, MUNICH, GERMANY

Munich’s airport is now the second-busiest in Germany and it hosts a staggering number of passengers each year, but it’s done with such typical German efficiency that it’s a joy for passengers. Some of that efficiency comes from the Vorfeldfluggastbrücken in Terminal 1. That’s the German word for the airport’s special jet bridges that act as a waiting area for passengers to be carried to airplanes by bus instead of having them wander for kilometres from one gate to another to board their aircraft.

4. HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, HONG KONG, CHINA

When Hong Kong’s venerable Kai Tak Airport was replaced with the new Hong Kong International Airport, it was an opportunity to create a modern experience from the ground up. Passengers in transit flock to the airport’s new shopping mall, SkyPlaza, which offers a wealth of shops and restaurants. The quality of the eateries helped the airport win the World Airport Award for Best Dining.

5. SCHIPHOL AIRPORT, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

One of the busiest airports in Europe, Schiphol offers visitors top-notch shopping and dining, but it has some unique attractions. Getting into downtown Amsterdam by train is a breeze, but if your layover is too short then visit the airport’s free Rijksmuseum annex to give you a taste of Dutch art. If you want more Dutch culture, the airport library gives you access to 1,200 books (translated into 29 languages) by Dutch authors on subjects relating to the country’s history and culture. You can even download Dutch e-books and music for free while you are there.

Have you been to any of these airports? Do you agree that they are the world’s best? If not, then what’s your favourite airport. Let us know in the comments?